Curb might appeal McGraw court decision

Curb Records may appeal a court decision that, in effect, allows country singer Tim McGraw to continue recording with Big Machine Record Label, a rival.

“We respectfully disagree with (a) ruling by the Court of Appeals on that issue, and we intend to continue to pursue this issue, including through the further appeals process as appropriate, in light of the significance of the underlying principles involved,” the record label said in a statement.

A three-judge panel of Tennessee’s Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling in the ongoing contract dispute between McGraw and Curb, the label to which he was signed as an artist for 20 years. The panel said Curb Records hadn’t demonstrated that it would be caused “irreparable harm” if McGraw were allowed to record with another company.

The appeals court decision is part of the initial phase of proceedings in the lawsuit that Curb filed against McGraw for breach of contract. A full trial on that case hasn’t occurred yet.